WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER February 6, 2009:

Balancing the Citizens' Trust

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. February 8, 2010: Layoffs of from 60 to 100 job positions would possibly be required according to WPCNR estimates to compensate for the projected $3.7 Million fall in the White Plains Assessment Roll revealed two weeks ago by the city. Without layoffs a tax increase of 8% (about $1,000 on a $650,000 h1ome in White Plains) would be required to keep the staffing where it is.

WPCNR calculates that even if the city school budget for 2010-11 stays at the 2009-10 level of $185.7 million, the district still faces the necessity of replacing $2 Million in revenue because the city assessment roll is projected to decline $3.7Million to $281.5 Million of Assessed Value.

If the school district wishes to maintain its current staffing numbers, the decline in assessments alone would require in severe cost-cutting measures to fund approximately $5 Million in scheduled teacher increases in 2010-11.

The School District presents the second part of its 2010-11 Budget with the "Instructional" portion tonight at Education House at 7:30 P.M., 5 Homeside Lane. The Revenue projections will not be compared to expenses by the District until March 8.

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WPCNR BACKROOM BULLETIN. By John F. Bailey. February 8, 2010, UPDATED  12:10 P.M. E.S.T.: The Robert Castelli campaign for the 89^th Assembly district seat vacated by Adam Bradley (when he was elected Mayor of White Plains) has enjoyed the support of the New York State Republican Committee on an unprecedented level for an Assembly Race.

Peter Harckham, left, and Bob Castelli, right, on the Lohud.com internetcast of the Editorial Board's interview with the candidates on issues. Mr. Harckham and Mr. Castelli each said there was a need to reform Albany. They each said they wanted to consolidate departments and cut costs of state government.

They differred on property tax issues: Harckham said he supported a Circuit Breaker bill to cut property taxes proportionately based on income (though the effects of that bill have never been fully explained by the legislature), while Castelli favored eliminating the Triboro Amendment (that automatically extends union contractors' contracts), and the Wickes Law. Harckham stood on his record as voting in support of  cutting the county budget and the county legislature budget. 

Harckham told WPCNR he would sponsor a 1/4% sales tax increase to help the current White Plains city budget in distress, while Castelli said he would not immediately support such an increase, unless he was assured the city had done all it could to cut its costs.

The Democratic Party is also pulling out the stops to elect Peter Harckham the Democrat from Katonah-Lewisboro, their latest efforts include a robo-call from Attorney General Andrew Cuomo Monday, urging voters to support Mr. Harckham. Monday's Republican Robo-Call "celebrity" has not made his or her debut yet. Mr. Cuomo's recorded message is in addition to a recorded message from White Plains Mayor, Adam Bradley which went out Friday.

The race has been the subject of three polls trying to ascertain the mood of the electorate. The polls apparently tried to gauge the strength of Mr.Castelli among voters.

The Special Election in one of the county's most affluent districts is held tomorrow throughout the 89th district.

WPCNR PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE DAY. February 6, 2010: Some 25 to 30 Softball teams gathered at Veterans Memorial Park in Harrison this morning to play ball in  25 degree weather to raise money in the annual Snowball Softball Tournament of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Societ. The action was good natured and no batting eyes have dulled.As Mel Allen used to say there's plenty of seats available come on out and watch this afternoon's games, sponsored by Modells Sporting Goods.

Here comes the pitch.

It's Drilled, It's Deep. It's Downtown!

Here's the Delivery!

Over 200 Players, with teams paying entry fees raised $$$ for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Umpires from the Hudson Valley Softball Officials volunteered their time. The Action continues all Saturday afternoon. Come on Out!

Where hamburgers sizzle on an open grill night and day!

WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL-CHRONICLE EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. February 4, 2010: Prior to agreeing to initiate a lawsuit to overturn the police 12-hour patrol work shift settlement of 2008,. as reported exclusively by WPCNR, the Common Council had voted unanimously Monday to establish a  Contingency and Tax Stabilization Fund to be a repository for another ¼% increase in the sales tax, dedicated to rebuilding the city depleted fund balance. The groundwork for increasing the city take of every eligible sales tax item to 2-1/2% was first reported by WPCNR last week and the legal framework was established Monday night.

Mayor Bradley noted that the spanking new contingency fund with nothing in it yet,  could not be tapped (for city expenses) without a 2/3 vote of the Common Council (5-2). Either Assemblywoman Amy Paulin or the winner of the Democrat, Harckham and Republican Bob Castelli Special Election taking place next Tuesday, February 9 for Mr. Bradley’s former 89^th District, seat would carry the ¼% request to Albany in the spring. Harckham has told WPCNR he would support the increase. Mr.Castelli told WPCNR he is withholding a decision on support until he is assured all cost cutting measures by the city have been explored.

The council also implemented a series of budget cuts(including 10 layoffs involving actual filled positions and line item cuts)  and elimination of positions totaling $3.3 Million. The layoffs were reported by WPCNR last Friday.

In other action, the council voted to spend $6,000 a year  on a system allowing visitors to enhance their “parking experience” by equipping White Plains Parking Garages and parking lot meter kiosks to accept payment for parking via cellphone. Doing so would enable persons to “feed the meter” by dialing the service provider and extending their parking time remotely. There will be a 35 cent additional service fee for the use of this service.

Mayor Bradley promised changes in parking policy were in the making to make White Plains parking less adversarial to visitors to the city.

The Council approved appointments of Adam T. Bergonzi, Steven H. Hochman and Saul Yanofsky to the Budget and Management Advisory Committee and appointed Dennis Power, the Councilman as Chair of the Recreation Advisory Committee. Michael Genito, the new Commissioner of Finance was approved as interim Budget Director.  Larry Delgado and Joe Lenchner were dropped from the Budget Committee.

The Council approved a $851,000 expenditure to replace White Plains Public Library windows, but in comments afterwards, they pointed out that  $650,800 of the $851,000 was being furnished with “stimulus funds” from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which was achieved through the efforts of Congresswoman Nita Lowey. The council also agreed to issue bonds for a $502,000 “Electrical Upgrade” to the library, which is solely the city responsibility.

The Council approved changes in Department of Recreation and Parks Fees which are expected to raise an additional $180,000 revenue into the city, if usage remains the same.

WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey. February 2, 2010: The Common Council effort to overturn the new 12-hour police work shifts for patrols voted last night in Executive Session is based on two matters:

1.)The new Adam Bradley Administration contention that Mayor Joseph Delfino never acquired Common Council approval in 2008 for the new 12-hour police schedule; and

2.) the Mayor's allowing overtime to be paid police in actual monetary pay, instead of being paid with compensatory time-off. The city contends the overtime pay mode (actual monetary pay instead of compensatory time), needed an amendment to the existing police contract, which required council approval, the Bradley administration Chief of Staff, John Callahan said today.

Overtime Savings Unconfirmed.

In a brief interview late Tuesday afternoon, WPCNR asked Mr. John Callahan, City Chief of Staff, if, in attempting to overturn the 12-hour Work Schedule for police patrols, the city would be foregoing savings in overtime which were promoted as the reason for testing  the 12-hour shifts. Callahan said  “we cannot tell at this time, until the new Commissioner of Public Safety (David Chong) completes an analysis.” Callahan added that if 12-hour shifts created such a savings in overtime costs, he felt other departments in the area would be using the 12-hour shift model.

John Callahan, City Hall Chief of Staff. January 3.

Asked why the city felt the 12-hour shift for police was the subject of a Declaratory Judgment action (to be filed) to overturn it, Callahan said the police 12-hour shift was not formally approved by the Common Council Callahan added that another part of the Declaratory Judgment action concerned itself with Mayor Joseph Delfino’s authorization of  police overtime paid in cash, instead of compensatory time, which Callahan said required an amendment to the police contract.  Callahan said the cash payment of overtime was never approved by the Common Council.

Callahan reconstructed the events of late 2008 as follows. He said the Council originally rejected the pay settlements reached by the fire fighters union, and the Mayor went back to the Common Council urging them to approve the 24-hour shifts for firefighters as a money-saving, overtime saving measure. The council agreed to approve the firefighter hours, but Callahan said the Mayor never returned to the council to approve the police 12-hour shifts.

The suit is scheduled to be filed within the next two weeks.

WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. By John F. Bailey. February 2, 2010 UPDATED 2:50 P.M. E.ST.: At the close of the Monday evening Common Council meeting, the Common Council went into Executive Session. After 45 minutes, the Council reconvened and Mayor Bradley announced the Council had voted in Executive Session to ask for a Declaratory Judgment, without explanation.

WPCNR has learned the city is planning a court action asking for a Declaratory Judgment declaring the 2008 Memorandum of Agreement with the police union agreeing to the 12-hour Work Schedule. 

John Callahan, City Chief of Staff told WPCNR Tuesday afternoon "it is the opinion of this administration the Memorandum of Agreement entered into in December of 2008 on Police portion of the agreement involving overtime on 4 hours of the 12-hour shift was not approved by the Common Council." Callahan explained that the 24-hour work shift now being worked by White Plains firefighters was approved legally by the Common Council.

Callahan told WPCNR he expected a law suit asking for a declaratory judgment would be filed in a week to two weeks.

The 12-24 hour work schedules for police and fire departments, respectively,  was put into effect on a trial basis in January 2009. It became "permanent" when the former Commissioner of Public Safety, Dr. Frank Straub did not extend the trial period of the work schedules past the 9-months it had been in effect, allowing it to perpetuate.

 The Common Council in a heated public exchange in November asked Straub to extend the trial, because they wanted to see a more extended financial impact.

 Straub declined to extend the trial period by the deadline. Subsequently the council attempted to terminate Dr. Straub's employment, but Straub abruptly left his position before they could dismiss him.

The Head of the Police Benevolent Association, Jim Carrier was surprised when WPCNR called him asking for comment on the Council decision.

It should be pointed out that the planned action by the city does not dispute the binding arbitration recently handed down raising police and fire salaries 3.5 % and 4% for 2008-2009 and 2009-10.

WPCNR MR.& MRS. & MS. WHITE PLAINS POLL. February 1,2011: The Ax has begun to fall on the lower salaried workers in the city as White Plains new administration strives to undo the financial follies of the Delfino Administration, the extent of which may never be known due the tidiness of the Delfino Gang in shredding untold millions of documents last spring, so much was shreded they needed a truck to do it. However, the damage has been done and now must be undone and the city, much like the south during reconstruction after the Civil War has to be reinvigorated with injections of cash.

WPCNR has come up with a list of possibilities other than layoffs which begin tonight with a mere ten persons being laid off at the approval of the Common Council. Which would you consider if you were Mayor Adam Bradley and his management team?

WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. By John F. Bailey. January 29, 2010 UPDATED 7:20 P.M. E.ST.: City Hall Chief of Staff, John Callahan today confirmed that Mayor Adam Bradley has moved to cut approximately $3.3 Million in  expenses in the current fiscal year to cut the city deficit.

Callahan told WPCNR in a telephone interview, the Mayor will ask the Common Council to approve the termination of 10 employes: 3 from the Department of Parking, 2 from Recreation and Parks; 2 from the Department of Building; 1 from the Youth Bureau; 1 from the Department of Public Works, and 1 from the Assessor's Office for a total of ten. All are CSEA employees. According to Callahan, the city will discuss the layoffs with the union, but the city has the right to lay them off. The layoffs will save the city, Callahan said, $640,000.

In addition, Callahan said, the city will pay health care premiums one month later, instead of one month in advance to save the city another $639,000.

The city will also take away an additional $639,000 from department capital projects into the reserve for financing to save a total of $3.3 Million, in addition to the cuts already made in positions last month.

Mr. Callahan said the moves are part of Mayor Adam Bradley's effort to cut the project $10 Million plus deficit the city is facing. This deficit was explained by consultant Eileen (Earl) Bradley earlier this week (See previous WPCNR story.)

The budget cutting moves are up for confirmation before the Common Council Monday evening.

In another development, City Hall has hired Jay Peltz as Assistant Corporation Counsel for the Legal Department at a salary of $132,000 a year.

WPCNR Quill & Eyeshade. By John F. Bailey. January 28, 2010: The city's revenues are $7.5 Million off while expenitures are up $3 Million due to the police and fire arbitration award. This sets the stage for a combination of department budget cuts, possible new revenue raising fee increases by some departments, a bigger-than-usual tax increase in the 2010-11 budget. The city also has no undesignated fund balance to cover shortfalls next year, if the allowed fund balance  is used this year.

The Mayor’s Budget  & Management Committee chaired by Councilwoman Beth Smayda learned this its first meeting of the new administration Wednesday evening and learned from consultant Eileen (Earl)Bradley, the former Budget Director who resigned in 2002 in the Delfino Administration, that the city’s revenues are down $7,418,315. Expenditures due to the recently arbitration awards to the police and firefighters, are up $2,969,185.

 Ms.Bradley  presented a runthrough projecting that to make up the revenue shortfall alone in the 2010-11 budget, the city would need to increase property taxes 23.49%, an increase of the tax rate from the present $157.06 per $1,000 of assessed valuation to $193.96/assessed valuation ($36.90 increase).

This is in line with White Plains Week and WPCNR projections made weeks ago. Such a increase described hyptothetically by Ms. Bradley Wednesday night,  would make your property tax on a $650,000 assessed (median) home in White Plains go from $2,901 to $3,583, a $682 increase, with a whopper school tax increase to come if the assessment roll takes another expected plunge of  $3 Million.   Bradley emphasized these were projections.

Adding to city woes, Lloyd Tasch, the City Assessor told WPCNR Wednesday there were 1,154 assessment challenges submitted last week, with good more than half from city homeowners. He said it was too early to say whether his prediction of a  $3 Million drop in the assessment roll might rise. The roll is due March 1st.

Over on the other side of town Monday evening, Assistant Superintendent for Business Fred Seiler of the City School District,  when the Operations Budget of the School District was unveiled at last year's level ($80 Million), that any shortfall in revenues occurring in the school district due to lost state aid and a lower assessment roll would be met by an increase in the property tax. The District goal is to keep spending at this year's level of $186 Million.

WPCNR BACKROOM BULLETIN. By John F. Bailey. January 27, 2010: Peter Harckham, the Democrat  the County Legislator from Katonah-Lewisboro, running in the Special Election February 9 against Robert Castelli, the Republican, Conservative and Independent line candidate, told WPCNR he would support Mayor Adam Bradley’s "plan in the making"  to use a new hike (as yet undisclosed) in the White Plains sales tax dedicated solely to “restore” the city’s reported depleted fund balance. Such an increase would have to be passed by both houses of the state legislature, requiring either Assemblywoman Amy Paulin's, or the 89th Assembly electee support.

Harckham also said he would fight for restoration of White Plains School District aid (presently projected to be cut $2.4 Million in the Governor’s new Executive Budget)/ Harckham told WPCNR the formula for determining school aid needs to be reconfigured and that if elected and  he would attempt to restructure the school state aid formula which he said in current form does not provide enough share of aid to wealthier districts such as White Plains.

Peter Harckham, Monday, receiving endorsements of Congresswoman Nita Lowey, to his right, and Congressman John Hall, to Mr. Harckham's right.

Asked if he would be willing to sponsor a sales tax increase in White Plains solely dedicated to “replenishing” White Plains unallocated fund balance that has been depleted to about $5 Million going in to the 2010-2011 Budget,  Harckham said his job was to represent White Plains and our interests and said he had already had two meetings with Mayor Adam Bradley discussing the plan to increase the sales tax, currently 8-1/8% of which 2-1/4% goes to the city .

WPCNR asked Harckham how he would attack the property tax situation strangling White Plains homeowners. He said the Adam Bradley sponsored separate commercial tax rate bill designed to halt the certiorari assault by businesses in Westchester County that was  indignantly fought and killed by the Westchester business community with a propaganda barrage last spring, and its unknown possible affect on businesses was not the answer at the time.  

Instead Harckham said the answer to trimming property tax was consolidating state government departments, eliminating duplication of services, trimming expenses on a grand scale.

In Harckham's comments in a brief address he said:  "to balance the budget on the state level we all  know we're going to have to need to make cuts in existing systems and shared sacrifices, but the proposedcuts in education funding are not shared and not fair. The budget calls for a 5% cut in state education aid, but the White Plains is looking at a 14% cut. That's neither fair, nor shared...the way to finally balance the budget once and for all is to finally address the growth the administrative side of the state government by streamlining and consolidating the more than 1,000 departments, agencies and state bonding authorities."

WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. By Governor David Paterson. From Governor David Paterson's Press Office. January 26,2010: 

This is our winter of reckoning.

The mistakes of the past -- squandering surpluses, papering over deficits, relying on irresponsible fiscal gimmicks to finance unsustainable spending increases -- have led us to a financial breaking point. We have to accept that the old way of doing budgets is unsustainable... and I need your help getting Albany to understand that.

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Ed McCormick, Westchester County Department of Communications. January 20, 2010 (Edited): County Executive Robert P. Astorino today criticized the state budget proposed by Gov. Paterson, saying it would shift costs to local taxpayers instead of cutting state spending.

“The fiscal picture that the Governor portrays is not dissimilar to what we see on the county and municipal level: looming deficits and shrinking revenues,” said Astorino. “Unfortunately, Gov. Paterson’s plan is off target. More taxes are not the answer. He should be attacking spending, not shifting costs to counties, local governments and school districts. Our taxpayers can not bear this extra burden.”

Governor David A. Paterson Tuesday proposed a 2010-11 Executive Budget that makes significant spending reductions in order to eliminate a $7.4 billion deficit and institutes key reforms to put New York on the road to economic and fiscal recovery. The Executive Budget proposal includes spending reductions across every area of the budget; limits State spending to far below both the Governor's proposed spending cap and the rate of inflation; implements the most significant public higher education reforms in a generation; and provides fiscal relief to local governments through an aggressive mandate reform agenda.

"Since the day I became governor, I have warned that New York is facing an inevitable fiscal reckoning," Governor Paterson said. "There are no more easy answers. We cannot keep spending money that we do not have. Significant spending reductions are necessary if we want to emerge from this crisis and build a strong fiscal and economic recovery. Together, through shared sacrifice, we will move forward toward a more hopeful and optimistic future for New York."